Lancaster County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Lancaster County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Sheriff's Office software and policy-management contracts
The DA's victim-witness office will get a $7,000 texting service so crime victims get faster updates on their cases — grant-funded now, no new budget burden later.
Employee ownership in the local economy
The county celebrated its 27-plus employee-owned businesses, and Tandem Center director Drew Mousetis described how ownership helped him buy a home — with a new state Office of Employee Ownership just approved in Harrisburg.
Abandoned bridge structure ownership cleanup in Martic Township
A quitclaim deed and bill of sale formally sorts out who owns two abandoned bridge structures left over from a 2017 bridge removal project, now that Martic Township vacated the road.
Quitclaim of abandoned Pequea Creek bridge structures
The county is cleaning up ownership of leftover piers and abutments from a bridge removed years ago, confirming they went to adjacent property owners when Martic Township vacated the road.
Detective Association labor contract
County detectives will work under a new three-year union contract covering 2027 through 2029.
County park residential and agricultural lease rate increases
The county is raising rents on six park homes by about 12% and farm leases by 8.3%. Even after the increase, home rents stay at roughly 76% of HUD market rates.
IT software renewal with ZOHO Corp.
The county will pay CDW G about $167,000 this year — an 8% increase — to keep backing up all county server data with the Rubrik service.
Institutional linens contract cost jump
The county's new linens contract comes with a 46.76% price increase, blamed on rising raw material costs for cotton and linens.
South-Central Transit Authority funding clarification
A follow-up fix to last week's transit funding vote, making the official record show exactly how much operating and capital money was approved for fiscal 2026-27.
County engineer hiring process delayed by PennDOT change
The county's plan to start recruiting a new secondary county engineer is on hold because PennDOT changed its Statement of Interest process. Officials want to align the county's approach before moving ahead.
Youth Intervention Center Security Maintenance
Security cameras and systems at the Youth Intervention Center will keep running under a $24,000 annual renewal — flat cost from last year, with the state picking up most of the tab.
County cybersecurity
The county renewed its managed antivirus and threat-monitoring service at $116,400 — 13.78% cheaper than last year because moving to the cloud shrank the number of licenses needed.
Commissioner-initiated agenda items dispute
Commissioner Yoder's attempt to add an F&M intern MOU to the agenda triggered a sharp debate over whether individual commissioners can place items on the agenda or whether items must come through staff. The chairman held that staff must originate such proposals.
Church tax forgiveness for Kinzers Mennonite property
A paperwork slip cost a small Kinzers church its tax exemption, sticking it with a $10,395.52 tax bill. The school district and township already forgave their shares; the county is the last piece, with action expected May 27.
Disputed LNP Library Tax Article
A split vote over whether the library board needs IT expertise (Yoder's pick, Carrie Rampp) or citizen and fundraising perspective (D'Agostino's pick, Anthony Panzino) as the system migrates to a statewide IT platform.
Crane Clean Energy Center reopening support
A $36,353 state grant helps pay a planner working on the reopening of the former Three Mile Island plant, now called the Crane Clean Energy Center.
Safe Streets and Roads for All grant closeout
The county's planning work under the 2023 federal safety grant came in under budget, so $8,442.20 is being returned to the federal government as the grant is formally closed out.
Go Lancaster Youth Outdoor Recreation Program
Wellspan and the library system's summer scavenger hunt will place posts in Central Park and Junction Trail. Last year youth logged 9,000 documented hiking miles — the county is joining at no cost.
Retirement System Data Automation
A $4,000 fix will automate beneficiary data flowing from the county's HR system into its pension software, cutting manual entry errors and staff time.
Byrne JAG Grant for Lancaster City Police
A one-time $47,981 federal grant will cover the annual renewal of the Lancaster City Police records management software, with the city acting as applicant and the county signing the supporting MOU.
County computer refresh lease
The county will lease 195 laptops and 40 desktops from Hewlett-Packard over 48 months for $399,210 — less than budgeted.
Office of Aging Advisory Council appointment
Scott Albright, who cares for his elderly parents and has a finance and policy background, joins the aging advisory council through 2029.
Chemical supply costs for water and sewage treatment
The county locked in $5.4 million in one-year chemical contracts for water, pool and sewage treatment — costs rose 6.21%, though the county's own share is only $46,400, up 2%.
Surplus emergency trailer transferred to Warwick EMS
A trailer bought with Homeland Security funds and no longer used by the county's SERT team will go to Warwick EMS for large-event support. The county followed the PEMA surplus process and kept the asset within Lancaster County.
Commissioners' dispute with LNP news coverage
Vice Chairman Parsons accused LNP of publishing false claims about the prison project vote and about attorney Wally Zimolong's hiring, calling it politically motivated. Chairman D'Agostino agreed, saying the pattern has been pervasive for years.
Drainage pipe and inlet box cooperative bid
A two-year cooperative bid for polyethylene road pipe and inlet boxes came in about 3.5% cheaper, helping municipalities buy drainage supplies at lower cost.
County engineering contract rate increases
The county's two engineering firms are getting annual rate increases baked into their contracts, with RETTEW up 3.78% for 2026. This affects the cost of county road, bridge, and facilities engineering work.
County fleet vehicle leases and the EV question
The county is leasing 22 replacement vehicles for eight departments at about $361,000 in 2026. Commissioner Yoder raised whether electric vehicles should be considered; staff said Enterprise has advised EVs aren't cost-effective without charging infrastructure.